Blackrock and Midleton will meet again to decide the destination of the Cork ETB Rebel Óg U18 Premier 1 Hurling Championship title after an absorbing final at Páirc Uí Rinn finished level.

Midleton 2-17
Blackrock 1-20

The Rockies produced a superb second-half recovery after Midleton had established a five-point advantage as half-time approached. Blackrock’s response brought the sides level before Shane O’Mahony struck for Midleton to put the Magpies back in front.

From there, the lead changed hands several times, with Michael Quill proving decisive for Blackrock. The Blackrock forward kept finding the scores required to bring his side level, including a late equaliser after Senan Carroll had restored Midleton’s advantage.

With neither side able to find a winning score, the final whistle confirmed that a replay will be required.

Blackrock’s defence also played its part in the closing stages, with Jack Browne and Patrick McCarthy making important interventions to ensure Midleton could not find a late winner.

Quill finished with nine points for Blackrock, while Shane O’Mahony contributed 1-2 for Midleton as both sides produced an exciting final that will now have to be settled at a second attempt.

Team Details

Midleton

W Stokes; P Egan, B Dunlea, R McCormack; F Cahill, M Murphy, S Dunlea; A Hennessy, A Molumby; C Kelly, S Carroll, C McCarthy; L Walsh, S O’Mahony, J O’Sullivan.

Sub: J Cahill for McCarthy (57).

Scorers: S O’Mahony 1-2, S Carroll, C Kelly, J O’Sullivan 0-3 each, A Hennessy 1-0, M Murphy, L Walsh 0-2 frees each, A Molumby, B Dunlea 0-1 each.

Blackrock

C Coakley; L Mackessy, S Ó Sé, J Browne; O Walsh, D Norberg, P McCarthy; A Hurley, K Long; S O’Shaughnessy, M Quill, C Stack; R Moran, L Cummins, J Punch.

Subs: C O’Neill for Hurley (41), A Browne for Punch (44), R O’Neill for Cummins (57), F O’Keeffe for J Browne (60+1).

Scorers: M Quill 0-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65), S O’Shaughnessy 0-5, R Moran 1-2, K Long 0-2, C O’Neill, L Cummins 0-1 each.

Referee: W King (Banteer).